Release Date: October 27, 2023
Label: Cul de Sac Mystic Productions
Ann Licater just released her new recording, Between The Stars.
Her love of wood and clay flutes led her to study with master
Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai. The time spent with the master shows
how it has reached fruition on her previous and this new release.
I reviewed the 2016 release Beyond The Waves and gave it 5/5 stars.
Seven years have passed since, and now I can enjoy the beauty and divine
existence of the many flute sounds created.
Ann plays 11 flutes, including Ocarina, Native American, Native
American-Style, Mayan-style Drone, folk, silver C- flute, and silver alto. In
addition to playing flutes, Ann performs grand piano on Track 5, "Luminous
Waters," Track 10, "Moon Garden," and singing bowls on Track 8,
"Distant Realm." This multi-talented artist has a lot to share.
Her flute sometimes sounds like a bird calling to the wind on
the "Divine Skies," the opening track, and most distinctly on
"Sunbirds." The connection the flute sounds emanate to the earth and
its living beings and creatures is undeniable. I felt the impact of that while
listening.
This music came to me at the right time. I recently lost my day
job, and as many people know, that can be a very stressful experience and a
blow to your confidence and self-worth. Beautiful and engaging music speaks to
my soul, my inner voice that knows the truth of who I am. My job is part of who
I am. It doesn't make up the entirety of me. This music is soothing and
spiritual; it grounds me and puts me in a healing space.
A crucial factor is how the tracks were presented regarding
time, which makes it a success. Each one is perfect. Ann blends her flutes
nicely without taking things past the point of disengaging the listener.
Throughout the listen, it had my attention, and before I knew it, the next
track started.
While listening to "Shades of Stillness," you can hear
Ann taking her breaths, which I noticed more in that track than in the previous
ones. Our breathing is essential, and when we need to settle down and focus or
destress, we can do breathing exercises. That is something I do, and it has
helped me. The type of breathing accomplished while playing all the flutes is
entirely different and more complex. That makes me realize how much work is
involved in recording these fantastic tracks. It takes devotion and love to
accomplish a recording like Between
The Stars.
I would love to be in a room with surround sound and hear this music on vinyl. However, it is incredible as it is. The format of vinyl would amplify the experience and immerse you most beautifully. I hope to see these types of artists start moving towards releasing their music on vinyl soon, but until then, I still can enjoy it and realize the meaning of it and how it can affect me in such a prolific way. It is one of the most natural stress-relief valves we have available. You can not only reach for the stars but find yourself Between The Stars.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Founder
Tracks:
01. Divine Skies 3:09
02. Ancient Traveler 3:10
03. Between the Stars 3:17
04. Sunbirds 2:15
05. Luminous Waters 4:51
06. Dream Passages 3:43
07. Shades of Stillness 3:13
08. Distant Realm 3:11
09. Angelic Echoes 2:50
10. Moon Garden 3:34
11. Whispering Light 2:37
12. Timeless Voices 3:28
13. Circling Star 2:18
14. Starlight Lullaby 3:41